Are you guilty of ignoring that dripping tap or the strange noise from your washing machine? You're not alone. New research has uncovered the top household niggles that British homeowners persistently put off fixing, with the average delay stretching to a staggering 16 months.
The Cost of Procrastination
A survey of 2,000 homeowners, commissioned by the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA), found that more than half (52 per cent) have delayed tackling a known issue, even when they knew it would be a quick fix. The most common excuses include the job not feeling urgent enough (36 per cent), a simple lack of time (28 per cent), and worry over the potential cost (24 per cent).
This avoidance comes with a significant price tag. On average, problems that worsen due to inaction end up costing homeowners £305 in additional repairs. A concerning three in ten admit that putting off a job has ultimately cost them more money. For 66 per cent, the initial issue deteriorated over time, turning a small job into a major one.
The Top 10 Most-Avoided Household Jobs
The study pinpointed the specific tasks that Brits are most likely to sideline. The definitive list of delayed duties is:
- Dripping taps
- Cracks in walls or ceilings
- Slow-draining sinks or showers (23% put this off)
- Overflowing gutters
- Warnings to update online account passwords
- Radiators not heating evenly
- Freezer constantly icing up (16%)
- Loose floorboards
- Washing machine making excessive noise or vibrations
- Iron, coffee machine, or kettle needing descaling (15%)
The financial consequences are clear: 35 per cent of those who paid more had to replace an appliance entirely, while 28 per cent saw the initial problem cause damage elsewhere in the home. This leaves 46 per cent annoyed with themselves and 34 per cent filled with regret.
The Vital Step Too Many Homeowners Miss
Beyond everyday maintenance, the research highlighted a critical gap in homeowner diligence: registering appliances. Despite 94 per cent agreeing it's important to keep large appliances in good condition, 28 per cent rarely check them for problems.
Worryingly, 20 per cent don't know if they've registered their large appliances with the manufacturer, a step crucial for receiving vital safety updates. Of those who haven't registered, common reasons were believing the appliance was too old (25 per cent), not seeing the benefit (24 per cent), or simply forgetting (16 per cent). Almost a quarter (24 per cent) confessed they wouldn't know about a product recall on their appliance promptly.
Stefan Hay, CEO of AMDEA, which is promoting Register My Appliance Week, urged homeowners to act. "We all lead busy lives, but ignoring small maintenance issues can lead to bigger repairs in the future, as they rarely stay small for long," he said. "Tackling them early saves time, money, and stress. With appliances especially, registering them means you can be contacted immediately if a free safety repair is needed."
The message appears to be getting through. Learning from past mistakes, 82 per cent of homeowners now say they would be likely to fix an issue as soon as it occurs to avoid higher costs later, with 81 per cent agreeing that delay typically causes more problems.
